Hey there, vinyl lover! If you‘ve been bitten by the record collecting bug recently, you‘ve probably come across the brand Crosley. With their too-cute suitcase turntables in every color of the rainbow, Crosley has become the go-to for vinyl newbies looking for an affordable and stylish way to start spinning.
But hold up – before you add that adorable Crosley Cruiser to your cart, there are a few things you should know. While Crosley definitely deserves props for making record players accessible again, the brand isn‘t without its controversies and detractors.
As someone who‘s personally tested out a few Crosley decks – and talked to plenty of other vinyl nerds in the process – I wanted to share my honest, unfiltered thoughts. In this ultimate Crosley turntable review, we‘ll cover:
- 📜 The history behind the brand and its explosive popularity
- 🎛️ The signature features found in Crosley turntables
- 📀 Hands-on reviews of some of the most popular Crosley models
- 💬 The good, bad, and ugly from real Crosley customer reviews
- 🙋 Who should (and shouldn‘t) buy a Crosley record player
By the end of this deep dive, you‘ll have all the facts to decide if a Crosley is the right first turntable for you. Let‘s get into it!
📜 The Incredible Comeback of Crosley
Believe it or not, Crosley is far from a new name in the audio world. The brand‘s roots actually go all the way back to the 1920s, when Powel Crosley founded the company in Cincinnati, Ohio. At the time, Crosley was pumping out radios, not record players.
Fast forward a few decades and Crosley had blossomed into a major electronics manufacturer. In addition to radios, the company dabbled in everything from cars to aircraft to TV sets. But after Powel Crosley passed away in 1961, the brand bounced around and eventually faded into obscurity.
That is, until the early 90s, when a group of investors bought the Crosley name and completely reinvented the brand for a new generation. Rather than trying to compete with modern audio tech, they went in a totally different direction: cheap, cheerful, vintage-inspired record players.
And the timing couldn‘t have been more perfect. In case you haven‘t noticed, vinyl has made a huge resurgence in the past decade:
- 📈 In 2022, vinyl outsold CDs for the first time in 35+ years (RIAA)
- 💿 Vinyl record sales have grown over 1000% since 2007 (Statista)
- 🤑 The global vinyl records market is expected to grow to $12 billion by 2031 (Allied Market Research)
Crosley‘s colorful suitcase turntables tapped into this growing appetite for vinyl nostalgia. Not only were they cute and kitschy, but they were way more affordable than traditional audiophile turntables. In just a few years, Crosley went from a defunct electronics brand to the starter turntable for budding vinyl collectors.
Of course, this meteoric rise wasn‘t without backlash. As Crosley record players started popping up in Urban Outfitters and dorm rooms around the world, vinyl vets began raising eyebrows at the brand‘s quality and reputation. But more on that later…
🎛️ The Signature Features of a Crosley Turntable
So what exactly makes a Crosley, well, a Crosley? There are a few key features and design elements you‘ll find across the brand‘s turntable lineup:
Retro-Chic Designs
One of Crosley‘s biggest selling points is the irresistible vintage look. Most models come in a compact suitcase-style shell, decked out in twee colors and patterns that practically scream "put me on your Instagram!" Others have more of a sleek mid-century vibe, with mod details and wood finishes.
As cute as they are, keep in mind most Crosley record players are made primarily of plastic, not the heavy duty materials of true vintage turntables. So while they may look straight out of the 1950s, the build quality is decidedly modern budget.
Plug-and-play Simplicity
Unlike a lot of "serious" turntables that require a labyrinth of components to set up, Crosley aims for a seamless out-of-the-box experience. Almost all models feature built-in speakers, so you can start spinning right away without fussing with a separate set of speakers (although you certainly can if you want).
Many Crosleys also have fully automatic functionality, so with the push of a button, the tonearm will gently drop the needle at the beginning of a record and return to its resting position when the last track finishes. It‘s a feature that‘s super beginner-friendly – but can be a dealbreaker for some finicky vinyl collectors.
Bountiful Bonus Features
In addition to the built-in speakers, most Crosley turntables also come equipped with other useful (and not so useful) bells and whistles. These may include:
- ⚙️ Pitch control slider to adjust platter speed
- 🎧 Headphone jack for private listening
- ⚡ RCA output jacks to hook up external speakers
- 🎤 Aux input to play music from other sources
- 🎼 Ability to digitize vinyl via USB port
Granted, several of these features are pretty standard on modern record players. But for the analog purists out there who believe a turntable should just play records dang it, these add-ons can feel downright sacrilegious. Fair enough!
Jack-of-all-Speeds Versatility
By default, most entry-level turntables only play the two most common record speeds: 33 ⅓ and 45 RPM. But almost all Crosleys also include 78 RPM, which means you can tap into those vintage shellac records in your grandparents‘ attic (just make sure you switch out the needle to a proper 78 stylus).
Even if you don‘t plan on playing 78s, having a 3-speed turntable keeps your options open as your collection grows.
📀 Hands-On with Crosley‘s Greatest Hits
Alright, now that you know the signature Crosley trademarks to look out for, let‘s dive into some real-life reviews. As a professional vinyl nerd who‘s put several Crosley decks through their paces, here are my honest thoughts on the brand‘s greatest hits:
🛄 Crosley Cruiser Deluxe Turntable Review
The original trendsetter that sent Crosley‘s popularity into the stratosphere. This was actually my first turntable way back when, so it definitely has a soft spot in my heart!
Pros: Super cute retro shell, available in a zillion colors/patterns. Lightweight and compact enough to take anywhere (perfect for my tiny dorm). Push-button simplicity. You really can‘t beat the price for an all-in-one system.
Cons: Definitely on the plastic-y side and the built-in speakers sound tinny at higher volumes. Tonearm feels flimsy. Had some skipping issues with brand new 180gram records.
The Verdict: While I‘ve definitely upgraded my setup since, the Cruiser is what made me fall in love with vinyl in the first place. If you go in with the right expectations, it‘s a fun and affordable way to get your feet wet!
🎨 Crosley Voyager Turntable Review
A step up from the entry-level Cruiser, the Voyager keeps the vintage vibes but adds a sturdier (and shockingly attractive!) faux leather shell and an upgraded adjustable tonearm.
Pros: Noticeably richer sound than similarly-priced portable suitcase players. Wider, dynamic volume range. Bluetooth streaming works like a charm. Love the ability to tweak the tonearm for different cartridges.
Cons: Still some plastic parts in play (dust cover is flimsy and the platter isn‘t super hefty). Pitch control fader stopped working after a few uses. Faux leather shell is a dust and fingerprint magnet.
The Verdict: If the Cruiser had me crushing on vinyl, the Voyager was the honeymoon phase. It‘s a nice step up in terms of sound and adjustability, without a huge jump in price. Just don‘t expect it to be the last turntable you buy!
📻 Crosley CR704C-PA Musician 3-Speed Turntable Review
The lovechild of a suitcase Crosley and your grandpa‘s giant wooden stereo cabinet. Made of real wood and packed to the gills with extra features like a CD player, cassette deck, and AM/FM radio.
Pros: Finally, a Crosley that doesn‘t feel like it will blow over in a light breeze! Gorgeous hardwood exterior looks and feels luxe. Love having so many music sources in one classic package.
Cons: It‘s massive and HEAVY – not exactly the portable plug-and-play vibe Crosley is known for. Controls feel clunky and outdated for a modern system. Built-in speakers sound no better than the portable models.
The Verdict: I can appreciate Crosley branching out into statement furniture pieces and I did get a kick out of taking CDs and tapes for a spin again. But for the money, I‘d probably go for a vintage console stereo or upgrade my main turntable.
🎤 Musings from the Crosley Critics
If you‘ve done even a tiny bit of research into Crosley turntables, you‘ve probably seen the brand has its fair share of opinionated critics. To give you a fuller picture beyond my own experiences, here‘s what some other trusted voices have to say:
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📢 "Crosley turntables are affordable for a reason. They‘re equipped with flimsy plastic parts, cheap needles that are bad for your records, and weak motors that produce wow and flutter." – Adam Gonshor, turntable guru at Audio Advice
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🔊 "I find it baffling that the world‘s most popular turntable has the fidelity of a Fisher Price record player. Subjecting your cherished records to less than 2 grams of tracking force and uneven speeds should be considered a criminal offense." – John Darko, Digital Audio Review
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📯 "What else can I say about the brand that bought vinyl to the youth of today? Hats off to Crosley for knowing their demographic and churning out fun designs that won‘t break the bank…just don‘t expect them to last forever or blow your audiophile friends away." – Victoria Wasylak, Vinyl Writer
As you can see, the feelings about Crosley range from outright disdain to backhanded respect. I try to land somewhere in the middle – I‘m ultimately thankful the brand has introduced so many newbies to the magic of vinyl, even if it‘s just a gateway into the wider world of record collecting.
👇 The Verdict: Should YOU Buy a Crosley?
Congrats, you made it through my TED talk on all things Crosley! If your head is spinning (at 33 ⅓ RPM I hope), here‘s a quick and dirty rundown on who should consider a Crosley…and who should keep on scrolling:
👍 A Crosley is Probably Fine For You If…
- You‘re on a shoestring budget as you build your first vinyl collection
- Sound quality is less important than having a cute, compact, Instagram-worthy player
- You need a turntable you can easily schlep to parties, college, and/or your next apartment
- You‘re shopping for a easy, affordable gift for the vinyl-curious people in your life
👎 You Might Want to Consider Other Options If…
- You have a sizable record collection, especially older or rare pressings
- You‘re picky about sound and yearn to experience vinyl‘s full potential
- You think dropping a stack of cash on a record player = better bragging rights
- You want a fully manual table you can tinker with and upgrade over time
See? That‘s not so complicated right? At the end of the day, getting into vinyl should be FUN. And if a cute little Crosley gets you genuinely excited to take records for a spin, who is anyone to judge?
Of course, as with any new hobby, your tastes and preferences will evolve the deeper you dive. While a Crosley is a great gateway turntable, don‘t be surprised if you eventually find yourself eyeing that swanky Rega or Pro-ject deck a year from now.
There‘s an endless world of grail records and dream setups to aspire to…but you have to start somewhere. And if a Crosley is that first spark for you, you have my full blessing.
Happy spinning!
